Lung Cancer in Serbia: The Silent Epidemic Killing Us While We Stay Silent!
Every single day, about 14 people in Serbia die from lung cancer. Yes, you read that right – 14 people daily! That’s like a small plane crashing every day with passengers on board. And what do we do? Almost nothing to save lives.
Why is lung cancer such a huge problem? Lung cancer is the most common and deadliest malignancy in Serbia. Nearly 7,000 people get diagnosed every year, and over 5,000 die. Serbia ranks among the top five European countries in lung cancer incidence. But here’s the shocking part – over 70% of cases are diagnosed at advanced stages (III and IV), when treatment options are very limited.
Screening – a lifesaver or just a myth? A pilot screening project started in Belgrade in November last year. It targets people over 50 years old with more than 30 years of smoking history, former smokers who quit within the last 15 years, people with a family history of lung cancer, and patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
So far, about 2,000 Belgraders have been screened, and over 3% showed tumor-like changes. The screening is painless and done with a low-dose CT scan, no referral needed. But why isn’t this project expanded nationwide? Why isn’t more invested in prevention and early detection?
Two main types of lung cancer – small cell and non-small cell Small cell lung cancer is aggressive, grows fast, and spreads early, mostly in smokers. Non-small cell is more common and grows slower but is still dangerous. Treatment depends on the type and stage.
Immunotherapy – a miracle or an unreachable dream? Immunotherapy is a revolutionary treatment that can extend life for patients with stage III non-small cell lung cancer. Half of the patients live five years after this therapy, nearly three times better than before. But here’s the kicker – this drug is not yet on Serbia’s positive drug list!
About 1,000 patients annually could benefit from this therapy, but the state doesn’t provide it. The same goes for small cell lung cancer, where immunotherapy also improves survival but is unavailable.
Smoking and lung cancer – a link we all know but no one changes 95% of small cell lung cancer patients are current or former smokers. The risk is directly proportional to the length and intensity of smoking. Yet, smoking remains a huge problem in Serbia.
Why doesn’t the government invest more in innovative therapies? While there has been progress in drug availability for metastatic stages in recent years, the biggest challenge is the lack of immunotherapy for stage III and small cell lung cancer. This therapy controls micrometastases invisible to standard diagnostics and significantly prolongs life.
Conclusion – it’s time to wake up! Lung cancer is a silent epidemic in Serbia. We lose 14 lives every day, but many could be saved with more investment in prevention, early detection, and access to innovative treatments. Will we wait until this disease completely destroys us, or will we finally act?
If you made it this far, drop a comment – do you know someone who got sick? Or maybe you have your own tips for fighting this nasty disease? Don’t be silent, let your voice be heard!
